Where’s the Cheese?

In western North Carolina, a new guide helps you find people who make, sell and serve local cheeses

By Marilyn Jones

Blue Ridge Mountain Creamery sells cave-aged cheeses.

"Western North Carolina has a lot to offer," says Jennifer Perkins who owns Looking Glass Creamery with her husband, Andy. "But as much as there is to do, sometimes people want something a little different."

So Jennifer and other cheese producers joined forces to launch WNC Cheese Trail this year. With the support of local restaurants and specialty shops, they are further able to showcase their products to the general public.

"Some of our members have been in business for decades while others are relatively new to cheese making," she says. "What we all have in common is our love for the process, the creativity and our ability to provide local products to local businesses."

Most of the stops on the trail are in Asheville and the surrounding area and each offers something a little different. Some cheese producers, like Looking Glass Creamery, have retail space. Jennifer says they have expansion plans to open a tasting room and picnic area for visitors. In some cases a stop at a creamery is simply a way to meet the cheese maker and discuss the process.

"The idea is to build your own itinerary," Jennifer explains. "Visit a farm, sample the cheese at a local restaurant, and take some home."

For its inaugural year, three creamery stops on the tour have regular business hours and five are available to visit by appointment. Maps are offered at local tourist spots, retailers, and restaurants that support the cheese trail and its members. Or you can download the map at wnccheesetrail.org.

"Another positive thing to come from the growth and development of the cheese trail is the personal connections found in the network," says Jennifer. "Included in our extended family are employees, dairy farmers, retailers, customers, caterers, distributors, farm friends, cheese mongers, chefs and restaurants that support and encourage the evolution of this business."

The Cheese Store in Asheville is another great place to purchase locally produced cheese. The store carries products from WNC Cheese Tour locations and other North Carolina producers including Three Graces Dairy, Victor Chiarizia Artisan Cheese, Yellow Branch, Looking Glass Creamery, Round Mountain Creamery and Spinning Spider.

If you plan to purchase cheese, bring a cooler and ice packs for the journey home. Some retailers also offer direct shipping.

When you go

Hickory Nut Gap Farm & Store57 Sugar Hollow Road in Fairview is open daily from 9 a.m.–8 p.m. in September and October, and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. the rest of the year. (828) 628-1027, hickorynutgapfarm.com

Princess Ann Hotel301 East Chestnut Street in Asheville was built in 1924. The hotel was recently restored to offer guests the feel of an earlier time and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (828) 258-0986, princessannehotel.com

About the Author

Marilyn Jones is a travel writer based in Texas.

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Comments (1)

Daniel Suggs

30 August 2013 at 15:51

How can you publish an article on NC cheese, without any mention of Ashe County Cheese? They are the only true cheese factory in NC and produce a wide variety of cheeses in West Jefferson. They have a great store, offering local wines and dozens of cheeses as well as many other products. You can also watch the the cheese making process in the factory. They sell retail and wholesale at reasonable prices and bring a lot of tourists to Ashe County. For many of us locals, they are the only place we will purchase cheese.
Thank, You